December 9, 2020 -
January 2021
Mystery Circus, Tokyo
Destroy the Mako Reactor 1
Real Infiltration Game
The iconic Mako Reactor bombing mission was remade for Final Fantasy VII Remake in HD glory, and now fans can experience it with a special SCRAP real infiltration game titled "Mission: Destroy the Mako Reactor 1" from December 9, 2020 to January 2021 at Tokyo Mystery Circus 3F in Kabukicho, Shinjuku. Tokyo Mystery Circus opened in 2017 as a series of escape room style games for solo or parties based on various themes, such as their Persona 5 and Metal Gear Solid themed games.
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A real-life infiltration game is both similar and opposite to that of an escape room. Similar in the sense that both consist of a team of real-life players working together to reach a common goal, and opposite in the sense that one sees the team trying to escape from a facility, while the other sees them infiltrating one. The official website describes the mission as follows:
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"Mako Reactors" continues to drain life energy from the planet, eventually destroying it. To prevent this, you are tasked with destroying the Mako Reactor 1 with Cloud and Barrett. Your infiltration attempt is about to begin.
However, security measures and Shin-ra soldiers block your path. To help you with your mission, you can equip "Materia" that allows you to use magic. You are required to identify which Materia would best serve your purpose—
Now, will you succeed in your bombing mission with Cloud and the others?
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Players join AVALANCHE and collaborate with familiar popular characters such as Cloud, Barrett, and Tifa, and while sneaking through the security and avoid enemies, make full use of inspiration, physical strength, and magical power to succeed in the bombing mission. With a maximum of three players, teams are allocated with a starting time limit of 30 minutes. Once the timer depletes, players are given a choice of continuing within 30 seconds for an additional charge.
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Tickets start from ¥3,000 per person (¥3,500 for same day purchase), with an additional ¥3,000 option for a limited edition Phoenix Tail pen that grants players a once-off free continue once the time limit has lapsed. Otherwise, the cost of each continue is ¥800 per person.
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DEBRIEFING
After signing in at the reception desk styled in a manner that resembles Tifa's Seventh Heaven bar, players are handed an iPad to contact friends, vest to protect from attacks, reactor map, and a bangle equipped with Materia. A photo op with the main cast of Final Fantasy VII Remake is available. Staff dressed as fellow eco-terrorist AVALANCHE members will debrief players on how to use magic. In the debrief, players are asked to extend their bangles and say "Thunder", causing electricity to appear on the switchboard next to it.
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Data panels with a speakerphone symbol on it are located throughout the reactor. If players bring the iPad within range of these panels, they can communicate with Cloud and the others as well as obtain information about their surroundings.
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BOMBING MISSION
Once players enter the Mako Reactor, Tifa communicates with them on the iPad, revealing Cloud and Barrett are also infiltrating the reactor via a different route. A choice of responses may occur and the character’s reaction depends on which response players choose, evoking a sense of real-time conversations with each character.
Shin-ra soldiers patrol the reactor and players must avoid detection whilst carrying out their objectives. "Safety Zones" where Shin-ra soldiers don't check are scattered throughout, giving players some breathing space. Vests vibrates when players are shot and their HP decreases (shown on the iPad), as well as time limit shortens. Phoenix Tail pens (available for advanced ticket purchases) allows a once-off continue once time limit lapses.
Passcodes are required to be cracked to open treasure chests faithfully recreated from the game, including its glowing orange lines. Keys are collected to open doors to next area. Certain areas feature laser beams that must be dodged to continue to the next area. Players have various magic at their disposal, including Fire and Thunder from the start, and Slow obtained during the game. Different magic is required at different parts of the game, requiring players to make a choice on which magic is best used in that particular situation. A boss battle is fought at the end with Cloud’s help.
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Although the initial time limit is 30 minutes, the actual estimated play time is anywhere between 40-100 minutes. A photo op spot with a replica of Cloud's iconic Buster Sword is available for players at the end of the game.
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A mission infiltration ranking is given at the end of the game:
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SSS - Clear game within 20 minutes with no continue and no HP damage.
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SS - Clear game with no continue and no HP damage.
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S - Clear game with no continue or no HP damage.
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A - Clear game.
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B - Game over before launching the bomb whilst in Warehouse.
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C - Game over whilst in the area in front of the aisle and before entering the Warehouse.
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D - Game over whilst in the area where the game starts and before entering the front of the aisle.
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An Extra Mission was available where Moogle Medals located throughout the game can be collected. Players were gifted rewards depending on the number of medals collected.
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0 medals - No rewards.
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1-3 medals - A postcard with the event's main visual design.
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4-6 medals - Special mission from Aerith (solving kit).
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7 medals - Treat from Barrett (drink voucher and message card).
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MERCHANDISE
In addition to the Phoenix Tail pen, various limited edition merchandise were available for purchase. Items included:
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Mission pamphlet (B5 size, 20 pages) - ¥1,500
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Muffler towel with Buster Sword design - ¥2,000
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Poster (B2 size) - ¥3,000
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A4 Clear File - ¥1,000
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Success/Failure Stickers (2 types) - ¥300 each
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Character badges (5 types with 2 secret; sold randomly) - ¥500 each
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A "Follow & Retweet" campaign was held for four consecutive weeks from November 13, 2020. A limited edition QUO card with the event's main visual design worth ¥1,000 was gifted to ten participants per week, for a total of forty winners for the duration of the campaign.
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